Staff Reports
Joe Biden might want to take a page from Sen. James Mountain Inhofe’s playbook. When Inhofe ran for his last Senate term at the spry age of 85, critics were quick to jump on his age. But Inhofe, ever the maverick, had no time for such nonsense. The seasoned pilot announced his campaign for a fifth term by flying an airplane upside down. He confidently declared that he would step down when he could no longer perform that aerobatic feat. Despite being 55 years older than his Democratic opponent, Inhofe won with almost 63% of the vote. Though he retired early, Inhofe’s bold approach and tenacity remained unmatched.
James Inhofe’s nearly 30-year tenure in the Senate was defined by his uncompromising conservative values. Joining the Senate in 1994 during the “Republican Revolution,” Inhofe clinched his seat through a special election, replacing Sen. David Boren, a rare Democrat who didn’t toe President Clinton’s line. Inhofe was quick to affirm his conservative principles, diving headfirst into the battles that would mark his career. Headlines after his passing in 2022 at age 89 chose to focus on his controversial stance on climate change, which he famously deemed a hoax.
BREAKING: Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) has passed away at the age of 89. Sen. Inhofe served in various levels of government for over 50 years before retiring from the Senate last year.
Jim Inhofe (1934-2024) pic.twitter.com/m2nbcOc40a
— NNN News Network (@NetworkNnn) July 9, 2024
Inhofe’s defense of the energy industry against progressive climate crusaders was legendary. As chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, he inherited the role from John McCain and continued to be a staunch advocate for a robust national defense. His no-nonsense approach to global warming had the usual suspects in the liberal media frothing at the mouth. Inhofe didn’t just reject the notion of climate change; he skewered the phony science and hysteria surrounding it, calling it the greatest hoax ever foisted on the American public.
Inhofe wasn’t just a climate change skeptic; he was a beacon for conservative causes. Limited government, strong defense, the sanctity of life, and the importance of traditional family values were the pillars of his legislative agenda. His lifetime conservative rating from the Conservative Political Action Conference stood at an impressive 94%, a testament to his unwavering dedication. Inhofe championed making English the official language of the United States and maintained his deep-seated convictions throughout his tenure.
From his beginnings in the Oklahoma House of Representatives to his ascent to the U.S. Senate, Inhofe’s career spanned nearly six decades. Even when he was in the minority, both in the state legislature and the House, his grit and determination never wavered. His political journey saw him serve as mayor of Tulsa before finally taking his place in Washington in 1987 during the Reagan administration’s twilight years. With Republican majorities now the norm, Inhofe’s legacy lives on, especially in his home state of Oklahoma, where the GOP commands supermajorities in both legislative chambers.
Inhofe was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1934 and served in the U.S. Army until 1958. He worked in his father’s life insurance company, eventually becoming its president. Despite needing a few extra credits, he participated in the University of Tulsa’s graduation ceremony in 1959, completing his coursework in 1973. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell fondly remembered Inhofe for his honesty, decency, and profound faith, qualities that left an indelible mark on those who worked with him. Inhofe’s love for God, country, and neighbor carved out a legacy worth emulating.
